Explanation
Allah subhanawatala removes the curtain of time from certain nations and recounts to us the tale of their disobedience. The names and places might change but the recurring theme is the same: messengers sincerely invite their people to the Oneness of Allah, they warn them of the punishment, give them the good news of salvation, Allah tests them through blessings and minor calamities, they arrogantly disobey, disregard the reprieve they are granted and are eventually destroyed.

Rabbana Dua is found in verse 89 of Sura Araf. The words are spoken by Prophet Shuaib and the people of Madyan that believed in him. According to Ibn Kathir, Madyan was the name of the tribe and also the city that is close to Ma`an on route to the Hijaz (from Ash-Sham). They are said to be the descendants of Midyan, the son of Prophet Ibraheem and they were traders by profession. The Midyanites and their towns were situated at the crossroads of the trade routes along the Red Sea coast. They were originally believers but had lost their faith through the centuries and adopted many corrupt and deviant practices.

Prophet Shuaib is called ‘Khateeb Ul Anbiya’, the ‘Most eloquent of the Prophets’ and he exhorted them in the most articulate manner:

And to [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu’ayb. He said, “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers.{Surat Al-‘A`rāf 7: Verse 85}

And do not sit on every path, threatening and averting from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, seeking to make it [seem] deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters.{Surat Al-‘A`rāf 7: Verse 86}

Corruption was rampant in their society: they were dishonest in their trade, cheated their customers in weighing and measuring the products they sold, consumed people’s wealth unjustly, and indulged in indecency and immorality. He entreats them to desist from these evil practices.

“…if you should be believers.” He reminds them of their righteous past and their present claim to faith.

He tells them to stop harassing and robbing the travellers on the trade routes.

They also strove to sabotage his mission by threatening the people physically and verbally: dissuading them, distracting them, and spreading malicious propaganda about the religion and the Messenger.

He reminded them of the favours of Allah upon them.

And concluded by warning them to learn from the nations that had disobeyed and been destroyed as a result.

Moved by his sincerity and eloquence some of the people of Madyan accepted Islam. The nation became divided between the believers and the disbelievers. The latter denied and threatened:

They said, “O Shu’ayb, we do not understand much of what you say, and indeed, we consider you among us as weak. And if not for your family, we would have stoned you [to death]; and you are not to us one respected.”{Surah Hud 11: Verse 91}

Instead of accepting their freedom to practice as they wished, the influential elite of Madyan gave them a final warning,

“We will surely evict you, O Shu’ayb, and those who have believed with you from our city, or you must return to our religion.”

The choice is ‘revert to our creed and assimilate’ or be deported! Prophet Shuaib completely ignores the first threat, instead replies incredulously,

The believers reiterate their resolve, that they will under no circumstances succumb to fear or pressure and return to the lifestyle practised by the disbelievers. There is such clarity in their eman- they realize that Allah alone rescued them from disbelief and it is by His Mercy alone that they remain on Guidance:

We would have invented against Allah a lie if we returned to your religion after Allah had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allah , our Lord, should will. Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge. Upon Allah we have relied. Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision.”{Surat Al-‘A`rāf 7: Verse 89}

Their faith is firm, but they are weary of the constant opposition, accusations and threats. They appeal to Allah subhanawatala to open a chasm between them and those that are denying the Messenger. A chasm that will separate truth from falsehood and will make it clear once and for all, who is right and who is wrong. They profess their helplessness and praise Him, “You are the best of those who give decision.”

Reflection

Religion is not merely lip service and elaborate rituals, financial dealings are the crux of eman. In this century we have witnessed unbridled greed, economic exploitation, injustice, and the plundering of resources on a global scale, unprecedented in human history. Sadly the Muslims are complicit in all of these crimes. What side of the supplication do we belong to? The ones making the supplication or, may Allah protect us, the party that is being supplicated against.

Through their story Allah subhanawatala simultaneously reprimands the Quraish and their persecution of their Messenger and gives us insight into the reality of our present state. There are many Islamophobes that even today sit on the highways of cyberspace and work diligently to subvert the deen and strive to make it appear crooked. They have distorted the image of this beautiful religion and made ‘Islam’ synonymous with ‘oppression’ and ‘terrorism.’

Everyone but the righteous, morally upright, modest segments of society will be allowed ‘freedom.’ A woman who wears hijab, a whistleblower who calls for greater transparency in a corporation, or a person protesting for protection of the traditional family will inevitably invite the wrath of society upon themselves.

The followers of Shuaib alaihisalam were severely tested. We also feel isolated and victimized and search for words to seek Allah’s help. In His infinite Mercy He has granted us the beautiful words of Rabbana Dua 22:

“Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision.”

It is imperative, however, that we closely imitate their attitude and demeanour when we make dua:

Rely sincerely and exclusively on Allah

Express humility and helplessness

Conclude with respectful praise.

Leave the decision to Allah subhanawatala

Allah subhanawatala accepted their dua and the judgement was made: an earthquake convulsed their town and the ones that called the believers losers lost everything in this life and the next:

“Those who denied Shu’ayb – it was as though they had never resided there. Those who denied Shu’ayb – it was they who were the losers.”{Surat Al-‘A`rāf 7: Verse 92}